AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 33, Title 18 of the Delaware Code by adding the following new section thereto which shall read as follows:

"§ 3358. Health Insurance – Pharmacies – Electronic Reimbursement.

(a) This section shall apply to:

(1) Insurers and non-profit health service plans that provide, directly or through a pharmacy benefit manager, coverage for prescription drugs under health insurance policies or contracts that are issued or delivered in this State; and

(2) Health Maintenance organizations that provide, directly or through a pharmacy benefit manager, coverage for prescription drugs under contracts that are issued or delivered in this State.

(b) If an entity subject to this section requires a pharmacy to submit a request for payment electronically, then the pharmacy or its designated agent may choose to be reimbursed electronically, and in that event the entity shall electronically reimburse such pharmacy and shall provide the appropriate payment data electronically, provided that the electing pharmacy agrees to, ans can accept claims details for the payments electronically and provide accurate electronic funds transfer information to the entity making payments.

(c) An entity subject to this section may not impose on a pharmacy a processing fee for the electronic reimbursement or for providing payment data electronically.

(d) Subsequent to the effective date of this section, any pharmacy that requires electronic reimbursement under this section shall allow an entity 45 days to become compliant herewith from the date of the pharmacy’s initial request to commence electronic reimbursement between the parties.".

Section 2. Amend Chapter 35, Title 18 of the Delaware Code by adding the following new section thereto which shall read as follows:

"§ 3579. Health Insurance – Pharmacies – Electronic Reimbursement.

(a) This section shall apply to:

(1) Insurers and non-profit health service plans that provide, directly or through a pharmacy benefit manager, coverage for prescription drugs under health insurance policies or contracts that are issued or delivered in this State; and

(2) Health Maintenance organizations that provide, directly or through a pharmacy benefit manager, coverage for prescription drugs under contracts that are issued or delivered in this State.

(b) If an entity subject to this section requires a pharmacy to submit a request for payment electronically, then the pharmacy or its designated agent may choose to be reimbursed electronically, and in that event the entity shall electronically reimburse such pharmacy and shall provide the appropriate payment data electronically.

(c) An entity subject to this section may not impose on a pharmacy a processing fee for the electronic reimbursement or for providing payment data electronically , provided that the electing pharmacy agrees to, ans can accept claims details for the payments electronically and provide accurate electronic funds transfer information to the entity making payments.

(d) Subsequent to the effective date of this section, any pharmacy that requires electronic reimbursement under this section shall allow an entity 45 days to become compliant herewith from the date of the pharmacy’s initial request to commence electronic reimbursement between the parties.".

Section 3. This Act shall become effective six (6) months following its enactment into law and shall apply to health insurance policies or contracts delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, extended, or modified after said effective date.